Traction gate

ABSTRACT

In a traction gate, a wire barrier extends between a pair of end standards. One of the end standards is pivotally supported on a first gate post, and the lower end of the other end standard is adapted for engagement with and support by structure projecting from a second gate post. A traction mechanism is mounted on the upper end of the second gate post for engagement with pivot means on the upper end of the adjacent end standard. When not in use, the traction mechanism rests on top of the gate post and is therefore readily accessible from either side of the gate. The gate is closed by engaging the traction mechanism with the pivot means and then pivoting the traction mechanism over center, whereby the gate is secured in traction by toggle action. Structure is provided for retaining the traction mechanism in the actuated position, and thereby both securing the gate in traction and locking the gate. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed, one comprising a wire traction gate and the other comprising a laterally swinging traction gate. In the laterally swinging traction gate the end standards are secured to a longitudinal frame member which interconnects the lower ends of the end standards.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,908,31 1

Romberg 1 1 Sept. 30, 1975 l l TRACTION GATE [76] Inventor: Felix B.Romberg, PO. BOX 218, 1 1 ABSTRACT Hollandi 76534 In a traction gate, awire barrier extends between a [22] Filed: 21, 1973 pair of endstandards. One of the end standards is pivotally supported on a firstgate post, and the lower end PP 417398 of the other end standard isadapted for engagement Related us. Application Data with and support bystructure projecting from a sec- [62] Division of S81. No. 270,308, July10, 1972,P21I.N0. nd gm post A mono mechamsm mounted on 3 825 051 theupper end of the second gate post for engagement with pivot means on theupper end of the adjacent end 152 US. Cl 49/381; 292/247 Standard' whenin F mechanism [51] int. Cl.- E06B 11/00 rests top of h gate? post andls therefore readily [58] Field of Search 49/381, 386, 394; 292 247,ccessblc from ethcr of the gate" 292/246; 160/323 The gate is closed byengaging the traction mechanism with the pivot means and then pivotingthe traction 5 References Ci d mechanism over center, whereby the gateis secured in UNITED STATES PATENTS traction by toggle action. Structureis provided for 79S i6) V1884 Lockling k retaining the tractionmechanism in the actuated 5951160 1i/1s97 Stauffcr i t tl ltiiiii :160/528 l thcfreby both sccurmg gm 639573 12/1899 Hobart 160/328 tractionand locking the gate. Two embodiments of 777800 12/1904 Mast [60/328 theinvention are disclosed, one comprising a wire 887,676 5/1908 MlllOflC160/328 traction g and the other Comprising 11 lawfully 1,268,471 6/1918Jones 292/247 swinging traction gate. ln the laterally swinging2,613,972 /1952 Gifford 292/247 traction gate the end standards aresecured to a Primary E.\'uminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, orFirn1-Richards, Harris &

Medlock Ml g 4 H.e .l 2.

-14 40 l' i 32- l T 1 1 l 11 J a to 7 i a I I w." se i l longitudinalframe member which interconnects the lower ends of the end standards.

11 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of 73,908,31 1

FIG."

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of 7 3,908,311

DEC: j

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet30f7 3,908,311 v US. Patent Sept. 30,1975Sheet 5 of 7 3,908,311

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Shet 7 of 7 3,908,311

TRACTION GATE This is a division of application Ser. No. 270,308, filedJuly 10, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,825,053.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates totraction gate improvements, including gate traction mechanismimprovements useful both in conjunction with a novel laterally swingingtraction gate and with traction gates generally.

Barbed wire combines the quality of repelling livestock with that oftensile strength. However, when an oridinary barbed wire gate barrierbecomes slack the individual wires assume the curves and crooks thatexisted in the wire previous to tensioning, such as the coils the wirehad in the spool.

It is common practice on farms and ranches to utilize simple wire gates(also called gaps). Such a gate typically comprises a barbed wirebarrier strung between vertical standards which are in turn supported byspaced gate posts. In many instances no means is provided for exertingtraction on such a gate. Instead, the operator simply positions thestandard at the openable end of the gate as close as possible to theadjacent gate post and then loops a wire extending from the gate postover the standard.

Such gates do not utilize the potential of the wire. They areeconomical, but at many fence line locations there would be greaterover-all economy if the tension of the wire barrier of the gate would beequal to and thereby support the tension of the fence line wires.Otherwise, the tension of the fence line wires must be supported byother means, such as tall gate posts interconnected with wire at thetop.

Laterally swinging gates have generally been used instead of wire gatesat locations where traffic demands a more easily handled or morepretentious looking gate. Mass production of the metal panel gateconstructed of straight flanged sheet metal channel sections (US. Pat.No. 2,515,754) has made that gate popular on farms and ranches. However,that gate is difficult to open and close in a stiff wind on account ofits broadside surface area. Moreover, the considerable length nowrequired for gates by the width of modern farm equipment makes panelgates heavy and rather burdensome on the supporting gate post. Incontrast, wire gates are virtually insensitive to wind and, withadequate tension, are well adapted for wide openings.

The present invention provides an improved traction gate of the type inwhich a wire barrier is supported between two end standards. In onedisclosed embodiment the end standards are interconnected by a framemember at the bottom to provide a light swinging traction gate for whichwires with end loops can be assembled over the ends of the standards.

In its closed position this swinging traction gate is anchored at allfour corners between two gate posts. One end is hingedly mounted on oneof the gate posts. At the other end the top of the gate is secured tothe other gate post by means of a traction mechanism which alsogenerates a downward thrust that holds the lower gate corner on a seatbolt extending through that post.

The traction mechanism is operated with a lever handle whereby theoperator couples the traction mechanism to the gate standard and thendraws the standard towards the post until the lever moves over center intoggle action to a final position where it can be padlocked.Concurrently with the releasing of traction, the lever handle uncouplesthe gate and comes to rest on top of the gate post to which the tractionmechanism is adjustably secured.

The lever handle projects from the top of the gate post when the gate isnot in traction and angles upwardly above the wire barrier when the gateis in traction. At each of these locations the handle is easily graspedand easily moved to the other location from either side of the gatewithout changing the grip on the handle.

After traction is released, the frame of this swinging traction gatesupports the wire barrier in limited tension and that limited tensionreciprocally supports the openable end of the gate so that it can belifted very easily from the seat bolt and swung to the open position.

In another disclosed embodiment of the invention, the wire tractiongate, the gate end standards are not interconnected by a frame member,but the gate is secured in traction by basically the same tractionmechanism in the same way. In the second embodiment a T- bolt is used asseat bolt for the end standard at the openable end of the gate and thatstandard has hook forks at the bottom for straddling and gripping the T-bolt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of thepresent invention and for further objects and advantages thereof,reference may now be had to the following Detailed Description taken inconjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a wire traction gate incorporatinga first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the openable end of thegate of FIG. I, with dotted lines showing the position of the tractionlever and traction link when the lever is positioned on the gate post;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the traction mechanism shown in FIG. 2, withthe traction lever in the terminal position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the traction mechanism shown in FIG. 4 in whichcertain parts have been broken away more clearly to illustrate certainfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the traction lever on thepivot in an upended position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 4, withoptional retaining means shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged framentary view of a vertical wire wrapped arounda horizontal wire;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view of a laterally swinging gateincorporating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a detailed fragmentary side view of the frame of the gate ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the frame of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary detailed longitudinal sectional view of thelower frame corner at the swinging end of the gate of FIG. 10 resting onthe bolt of the gate post;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary detailed plan view of the traction mechanism ofthe gate of FIG. 10, in its clamped position;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the traction mechanism of FIG. 14 in whichcertain parts have been broken away more clearly to illustrate certainfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the traction lever on a smaller scale thanFIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a detailed vertical longitudinal sectional view of thetraction lever of FIG. 16 on the scale of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 18 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line of 1818 ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the spring retaining plate only, takenalong the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary plan view showing how a previously formedterminal loop of longitudinal wire is slipped over the top of the framestandard of FIG. 15; and,

FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 21-21 of FIG.10, showing details of the lower end of the stay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WIRE TRACTION GATE A wire traction gateincorporating a first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to9, inclusive. The gate 30 is mounted between gate posts 32 and 34(FIG. 1) and comprises tubular end standards 36 and 38 and a barrier oflongitudinal barbed wires 40 strung between the end standards. Thelongitudinal wires may be connected by one or more stays 42 intermediatethe end standards 36 and 38.

The standard 38 has integral elongated plates 44 and 46 extendingperpendicularly across its top and bottom ends, respectively. The plates44 and 46 are perforated on each side of the end standard 38. Theperforations nearest the gate post 34 are aligned with the eyelets of apair of eye bolts 48 and 50 which pass through the gate post 34 andwhich are located above and below the plates 44 and 46., respectively. Apivot shaft 52 extends through the perforations of the plates 44 and 46and through the eyelets of the eye bolts 48 and 50. The ends of the eyebolts 48 and 50 opposite the eyelets are threaded and receive washersand nuts 54, whereby the spacing between the pivot shaft 52 and the gatepost 34 may be adjusted.

The perforations in plates 44 and 46 on the opposite side of the endstandard 38 from the pivot shaft 52 re ceive the ends of a vertical wire56. The wire 56 is successively wrapped around each longitudinal barbedwire 40 in the manner shown in FIG. 9. By this means vertical spacing ismaintained between the longitudinal wires 40 adjacent the end standard38 of the gate 30.

The end standard 36 is provided with integral plates 58 and 60 (FIGS. 1,2, and 3) extending in the same plane at the top and bottom of thestandard, respectively. The bottom plate 60 is adapted for engagementwith a T-bolt 62 extending through the adjacent gate post 32. Theopposite end of the T bolt 62 is threaded and receives a washer and anut 64, whereby the positioning of the T-bolt may be adjusted.

The T-bolt 62 is formed by welding a short shaft 66 perpendicularlyacross the end of a threaded shaft 68.

The bottom plate 60 of the end standard 36 is adapted to rest on theshaft 66 and has a pair of downwardly extending forks and 72 which arepositionable beyond the shaft 66 on each side of the threaded shaft 68of the T-bolt 62. The forks 70 and 72 define a downwardly wideningopening therebetween which simplifies the positioning of the lower endof the standard 36 in engagement with the T-bolt 62.

The plate 60 is perforated at the end opposite the forks 70 and 72 toreceive a vertical wire 74. The wire 74 is wrapped around thelongitudinal barbed wires 40 in the manner shown in FIG. 9. By thismeans vertical spacing is maintained between the wires 40 adjacent theend standard 36 of the gate 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the plate 58 at the top of the endstandard 36 includes a pair of laterally spaced upstanding lugs 76 and78 which are integral with the plate 58. The lugs 76 and 78 support atransverse pivot bolt 80 which is mounted in aligned openings formedthrough the lugs. The lugs 76 and 78 are parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the plate 58 and the pivot bolt 80 is perpendicular to the lugs76 and 78.

The wire traction gate 30 further includes a traction mechanism 82comprising a traction lever 84, a trac-.

tion link 86, and an eyebolt 88 which supports the traction mechanism 82on the gate post 32. As is best shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the tractionlever 84 of the traction mechanism 82 includes a forked end 90comprising opposed lips 92 and 94 and a curved portion 96 havingsubstantially the same radius as the pivot bolt 80 on the end standard36. By this means the forked end 90 of the traction lever 84 is adaptedfor pivotal engagement with the pivot bolt 80. The lip 94 is wider thanthe remainder of the traction lever 84 and it is substantially equal inwidth to the space between the upstanding lugs 76 and 78 on the endstandard 36. The lip 94 thus functions to center the traction lever 84relative to the lugs 76 and 78.

The end of the traction lever 84 remote from the forked end 90 comprisesa handle 98. A lug de pends from the handle 98 and is provided with anaperture 102. The plate 58 on the end standard 36 is provided with anaperture 104 which receives the lug 100 when the traction lever 84 ismanipulated from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown inFIG. 5. At this point the aperture 102 is positioned beneath the plate58.

The traction link 86 comprises spaced straps 106 and 108 which areintegrally connected by a web 110. The traction lever 84 is pivotallysupported on one end of the traction link 86 by a bolt 112 which extendsthrough aligned apertures formed in the straps 106 and 108 of thetraction link 86 and through an aperture formed through the tractionlever 84 at a point between the forked end 90 and the handle 98. By thismeans the bolt 112 provides a fulcrum for the traction lever 84 duringpivotal movement of the lever about the pivot bolt 80. The opposite endof the traction link is pivotally supported on the eye bolt 88 by a bolt114 which passes through aligned apertures formed in the straps I06 and108 and through the eyelet of the eye bolt 88.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, the eye bolt 88 passes through the gate post32. The end of the eye bolt 88 opposite the eyelet is threaded andreceives a washer and a nut 116 whereby the positioning of the tractionmechanism 82 relative to the gate post 32 may be adjusted. Thepositioning of the eye bolt 88 in the gate post 32,

the overall height of the gate post 32, and the length of the tractionlink 86 of the traction mechanism 82 are interrelated in such a way thatthe traction lever 84 of the traction mechanism rests on the upper endof the gate post 32 when the traction mechanism 82 is not in use. Thisis advantageous in that the traction mechanism 82 is thereby renderedreadily accessible from ei ther side of the wire traction gate 30.

The plate 58 at the upper end of the end standard 36 extends firstangularly upwardly to a pointtjust beyond the aperture 104 and thenangularly downwardly and terminates in an upstanding lug 118. The upperlongitudinal barbed wire 40 is connected to the lug 118, and

the vertical wire 74 is secured to the upper longitudinal wire 40 at apoint adjacent the lug 118. This construction is advantageous for anumber of reasons. First, sufficient spacing is provided between thetraction lever 84 of the traction mechanism 82 and the upperlongitudinal wire 40 that the handle 98 is easily grasped in one hand ofan operator. Second, sufficient spacing is pro vided between the endstandard 36 and the vertical wire 74 that the end standard 36 is easilygrasped in the other hand of the operator. Third, the offset positioningof the lug 118 relative to the end standard 36 provides a lever arm ofsufficient length that the end standard 36 is automatically aligned whenit is moved to the closed position, notwithstanding the fact that it mayhave been misaligned when it was in the open position.

To close the wire traction gate 30, the operator first advances thebotton end of the end standard 36 and engages the forks 70 and 72 of theplate 60 with the T- bolt 62. Next the upper end of the end standard 36is moved towards the gate post 32, thereby tensioning at least the lowerlongitudinal barbed wires 40 of the gate 30. This tensioning positionsboth of the laterally spaced forks 70 and 72 against the terminalportion 66 of the T-bolt 62, thereby automatically pivoting the endstandard 36 into proper alignment, assisted by the offset position ofthe lug 118 relative to the standard 36.

When the end standard 36 is positioned adjacent the gate post 32, theforked end 90 of the traction lever 84 of the traction mechanism 82 ismoved from the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 to the positionshown in FIG. 6 and is simultaneously engaged with the pivot bolt 80 atthe upper end of the end standard 36.

As is best shown in FIG. 7 this action is facilitated by beveled upperedges on the lugs 76 and 78 whereby first the lip 94 of the tractionlever 84 and subsequently the straps of the traction link 86 arecentered between and received by the lugs 76 and 78. After the tractionlever 84 is engaged with the pivot bolt 80 it is moved from the positionshown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 5. During this action thetraction mechanism 82 operates as a toggle in that the fulcrum providedby bolt 112 moves over center, or beyond dead center, relative toalignment with pivot bolts 1 14 and 80 to secure the wire traction gate30 in traction and the traction erture 102 of the lug to latch thetraction mechanism in its over center position.

The straps 106 and 108 of the traction link are arched to fit on orclosely over the pivot bolt 80 when the traction mechanism is in theterminal over center position shown in FIG. 5. Hence the lower end ofthe end standard 36 cannot be raised from the T-bolt 62 while a padlockor other retaining means is maintained through the aperture 102.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate thefact that the tension of thelongitudinal wires 40 comprising the wire traction gate 30 may beregulated by adjusting the positioning of the nuts 54, 64, and 116 ontheir respective bolts. This is preferably accomplished while the gate30 is in the closed position in that the tension of the wires 40 is morereadily determinable at that time. Any natural resiliency of the upperends of the gate posts 32 and 34 imparts resilient tension to thelongitudinal wires 40 comprising the upper portion of the wire tractiongate 30.

The traction gate 30 is opened by moving the traction lever 84 of thetraction mechanism 82 from the position shown in FIG. 5 through theposition shown in I FIG. 6 to the position shown in dashed lines in FIG.2.

During this movement the tension of the longitudinal wires 40 of thegate 30 on the traction mechanism 82 imparts a sharp impulse to themovement of the lever 84 so that the operator naturally releases thelever on the top of the gate post 32. While the traction lever is beinglifted with one hand, the operator grips the upper end of the endstandard 36 in the other hand. After the top of the end standard hasbeen disengaged from the traction mechanism 82, the lower end of the endstan dard 36 is disengaged from the T-bolt 62 and the gate 30 is opened.

LATERALLY SWINGING TRACTION GATE A laterally swinging traction gate 128incorporating a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 10 through 21, inclusive. The gate 128 is mounted between spacedgate posts 130 and 132 (FIG. 10) and has a frame 134 comprising alongitudinal tubular member 136 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and tubular .endstandards 138 and 140 extending upwardly from the ends of thelongitudinal member 136 and supporting a barrier of longitudinal barbedwires 142. Flat plates 144 and 146 are sandwiched diagonally between theend standards 138 and 140 and the longitudinal member 136 of the frame134, as by welding to each member of each joint. The plates 144 and 146extend horizontally outward beyond each joint as shown.

The outward extension of the plate 144 has an aperture 148 formed in itfor receiving the upper end of a round bar 150 (FIGS. 10 and 15)integral with the end of a bolt 152 which extends through the gate post130. The bolt 152 is threaded at the opposite end to receive a washedand nut 154 by means of which the bolt 152 can be adjustedlongitudinally until the upper end of the bar 150 centers in theaperture 148, the latter being somewhat larger in diameter than the bar150. The bolt 152 thus supports the plate 144 when the gate 128 isclosed. The bar 150 extends downwardly from the bolt 152 and into asocket or narrow vertical groove in the gate post 130, therebymaintaining an upright position. The upper end of the end standard 140comprises an integral plate 156 (FIGS. 10 and 11) which extendshorizontally toward the adjacent gate post 132 and has a perforation 158formed in it. The plate 146 includes a similar perforation 160. A pivotshaft 162 passes through the perforations 158 and 160 and througheyelets in eye bolts 164 and 166 which extend through the gate post 132and which are threaded to receive nuts and washers on each side of thepost. The upper bolt 164 is thus positionable longitudinally by means ofopposed nuts 168 and 170, and the lower bolt 166 is similarlypositionable by means of opposed nuts 172 and 174. The plate 146 islocated above and is therefore supported by the bolt 166. The plate 156is positioned beneath the bolt 164 to prevent the hinged end of the gate128 from being raised.

The plate 156 is bent upwardly on the opposite side of the end standard140 from the pivot shaft 162 and receives an eye bolt 176 to which theupper end of a diagonal guy wire 178 is secured. The eye bolt 176 has along threaded shank which passes through a perforation 180 in the plate156 and is adjustable longitudinally by means of a nut 182 in the mannershown in FIG. 10. The opposite end of the guy wire 178 extends aroundthe end standard 138, whereby the guy wire 178 prevents the gate 128from sagging.

The end standard 138 has an integral block 184 (FIGS. 11 and 12) at itsupper end. The block 184 has an upstanding lug 186 including a concavesocket 188 which is occupied in traction by a pivot bolt 190 (FIGS. 14and 15) extending between and secured to a pair of parallel forks 192and 194 of a traction lever 196. The forks 192 and 194 are spaced toreceive the lug 186 and have a common connection 198 which forms a basefor a tubular handle 200. Aligned perforations (FIG. through the forks192 and 194 receive a pivot bolt 202 by means of which the ends of apair of parallel straps 204 and 206 of a traction link 208 are pivotallyconnected to the traction lever 196. The straps 204 and 206 areperforated for this purpose and are spaced to receive the forks 192 and194 of the traction lever 196 between them. The straps 204 and 206 ofthe traction link 208 are joined by a web 210 and preferably fit closelyover the block 184. By this means any upward movement of the standard138 is prevented when secured in traction. This in turn assures that theplate 144 is not disengaged from the bar 150 when the gate is secured intraction.

The opposite ends of the straps 204 and 206 receive the eyelet end of aneye bolt 212 and are pivotally connected thereto by means of atransverse bolt 214 which passes through the eyelet of the eye bolt andthrough aligned openings in the straps. The eye bolt 212 passes throughthe upper end of the adjacent gate post 130 and is threaded at theopposite end to receive a washer and the adjusting nut 216 whereby thebolt can be adjusted longitudinally.

An upstanding integral section 218 of the block 184 is shaped andlocated to fit within the space between the forks 192 and 194 of thetraction lever 196 and the bolt 202. The section 218 extends upwardlybeyond the forks 192 and 194 when the traction lever is in the posi tionshown in FIG. and has an aperture 220 which is exposed above the forks192 and 194 when the traction lever 196 is in such position. Theaperture 220 may receive the shackle of a padlock when the gate isclosed. The base of the section 218 is rounded in cross section toanchor the top longitudinal wire 142 of the gate 128.

A latch bolt 222 extends through the length of the handle 200 andthrough an opening in the base 198. A latch recess 224 is provided inthe adjacent edge of the section 218 to receive the end of the latchbolt 222 when the traction lever 196 is in the position shown in FIG.15. The edge of the section 218 is suitably sloped above the recess 224to earn the latch bolt 222 into the recess.

The latch bolt 222 is urged into the latch recess 224 by a compressionspring 226 (FIG. 17) acting against a disk 228 that is integral with thebolt 222 and positioned thereon to limit outward movement of the bolt222 through the base 198. The other end of the compression spring 226rests against a plate 230 which seats against blocks 232 and 234 securedto the interior of the tubular handle 200, as by spot welding. The plate230 has a central opening which receives the bolt 222. Opposite the base198 the bolt 222 passes through a central opening in an end wall 236 ofan outer tubular means 238 which telescopes slidably over the endportion of the primary tube of the handle 200.

A pin 240 projects through a perforation in the latch bolt 222 adjacentthe inner side of the end wall 236. An elastomeric washer 242, a metalwasher 244, and a nut 246 are mounted on the outside of the wall 236.Hence the latch bolt 222 moves with the outer end portion 238 of thetraction lever handle 200.

To assemble the plate 230 beyond the blocks 232 and 234 from theterminal entrance to the interior of the tubular handle 200, the plate230 includes notches 248 and 250 (FIGS. 18 and 19). The notches 248 and250 are aligned with the blocks 232 and 234 by a special tool whichmoves the plate 230 against the compression spring 226. When the toolhas moved the plate beyond the blocks 232 and 234, the plate 230 isrotated to position the plate in engagement with the blocks 232 and 234and to center the notches 248 and 250 between the blocks 232 and 234.The plate 230 is provided by pads 252 and 254 which limit rotation ofthe plate 230 in service. The pads 252 and 254 are secured to the plate230, as by spot welding.

To release the gate 128 from traction the operator moves the outertubular portion 238 of the traction lever 196 outwardly to withdraw thelatch bolt 222 from the latch recess 224. The spring 226 limits thisaction when it is fully compressed. The traction lever 196 is thenpivoted upwardly and is positioned on top of the gate post as describedabove in connection with the wire traction gate 30 of FIGS. 1 through 9.

The gate frame is constructed from straight lengths of tubing, with theend standards 138 and perpendicular to the longitudinal member 136 andparallel to each other. After the longitudinal wires 142 are appliedtheir tension causes the distal ends of the standards 138 and 140 todraw toward each other and the longitudinal member 136 to bow downwardlyin the middle. However, when traction is applied in sufficient magnitudeto restore the standards 138 and 140 to the parallel condition, thelongitudinal frame member 136 is relieved of bending moment and returnsto its original straight condition. By manipulation of the nut 216 onthe eyebolt 212, the amount of traction required to make thelongitudinal frame member 136 straight and thereby relieve it ofbeinding strain can be effected.

In order to achieve precise tension in the longitudinal barbed wires 142and to mount them on the frame 134 of the swinging gate 128 with minimumlabor and highest quality workmanship, it is desirable that the wires142 be prepared in exact lengths and with end loops before they areassembled on the frame. The block 184 is short and is taperedlongitudinally towards the section 218 as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 20.By bowing the longitudinal member 136 downwardly in the middle, theupper ends of the end standards 138 and 140 are brought closer together.By hooking one end loop of each wire 142 around the standard 140 first,the other end loop can be slipped over the top of the block 184 of thestandard 138 as shown in FIG. 20. The first wire so applied is then sliddownwardly along both standards simultaneously until it is preperlypositioned. The other wires are then put into their positions on thestandards in the same way, except that the top wire is provided with asmaller end loop and is positioned over the section 218 and around itsshank as shown in FIG. 15. The longitudinal member 136 is then releasedfrom its bowed condition, leaving the wires 142 taut.

Vertical wires 256 and 258 are then applied adjacent the standards 138and 140, respectively, and are wrapped around the longitudinal wires 142as shown in FIG. 9 to hold them in properly spaced positions. The lowerends of the vertical wires 256 and 258 are drawn around the longitudinalframe member 136. At the plate 156, the top longitudinal wire 142 may'be held against downward displacement by a separate wire 260 loopedabout the top wire and the plate 156. The vertical wire 256 may also beemployed to secure the lower end of the diagonal guy wire 178 to thelongitudinal member 136 and thereby prevent the lower end of the guywire 178 from slipping upwardly, or a separate wire may be used for thispurpose.

One or more stays 262 may be utilized between the end standards 138 and140 of the gate 128. A preferred stay 262 is shown in FlGS. 1 and 21. Atthe bottom end the stay 262 is flattened and widened and shaped to fitover the longitudinal member 136 and against its sides. Connection ofthe stay 262 to the member 136 is completely by looping wire 264 aroundthe bottom of the member 136 and through perforations in the flattenedsides of the stay 262.

The bolts 152 and 166 extending through the gate posts 130 and 132 areinitially adjusted longitudinally so the gate 128 is centered betweenthe gate posts and so that the top of the bar 150 is centered in theopening 148 provided in the plate 144. Then, with the guy wire 178slack, the bolt 164 is adjusted longitudinally with the gate 128 open,so the height of the horizontal end of plate 144 corresponds to that ofthe bolt 152.

At this point the tension of the longitudinal wires 142 of the gate 128is equal to the stress in the frame 134. This means that the liftingforce required of a person to raise the plate 144 over the top of bar150 is only that force which constitutes the departure from equilibrium.In actual use it has been found that the tension of the wires soeffectively counterbalances the weight of the gate at the openable endthat the openable end is extremely easy to lift. The slack in the guywire 178 is next taken up by adjusting the nut 182 to the extent thatdoes not lift the plate 144 from the seat bolt 152.

This provides emergency support to the openable end downward force whenthe gate is open. However, since the frame 134 yields resiliently, theguy wire 178 is provided toprotect the frame against undue downwardstrain while the gate 128 is open. After the gate is closed, it canwithstand relatively large forces since it is then secured at all fourcorners.

Although the wire traction gate 30 of FIGS. 1 through 9 and thelaterally swinging traction gate 128 of FIGS. 10 through 21 arepresented with traction mechanism having different details, principlesof either mechanism can be used with either gate. A simpler tractionmechansim is more applicable where a gate will not be opened and closedfrequently. In both traction mechanisms the traction lever is preferablyinclined upward from the pivoted end when latched. This provides adesirable clearance above the top barbed wire for gripping the lever. Italso protects the telescoped tube 238 (FIG. 17) from receiving water andthen freezing.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the I use of the presentinvention results in numerous advantages over the prior art. Beinganchored at all four corners when closed, the swinging traction gate ofthis invention may be considered as stock proof as conventionallaterally swinging gates. But is is more economical of material, lightin weight and unhampered by wind. It is especially advantageous whereunrestricted visibility, unrestricted air circulation or aninconspicuous gate are desired. It also has the special advantage ofexerting traction on the two associated gate posts. This substantiallyreduces the amount of bracing required in the fence sections. Theresulting savings in material and labor costs are often equal to orgreater than the cost of the gate. Another advantage over conventionallaterally swinging gates is the counterbalancing of the openable end ofthe gate by the tension of the gates longitudinal wires.

Although invented for securing the laterally swining traction gate, thetraction mechanism of this invention is also useful for other gates,notably for the disclosed wire traction gate embodiment. With thistraction mechanism and cooperating gate structure, gate end coupling anduncoupling, the application of traction, padlocking and adjustabilityare all uniquely facilitated. At the beginning of and during eachtraction lever handle movement the lever handles affords optimumconvenience from each side of the gate, yet remains out of peoples way.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated inthe accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing DetailDescription, it will be understood that the invention is not limited tothe embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. 1

What is claimed is:

1. In a traction gate, the combination of:

a frame comprising a pair of upright end standards and a unitarylongitudinal frame member integrally connected with and extendingbetween the lower ends of said end standards,

means for hingedly supporting one end of the gate frame for laterallyswinging movement between a closed position and an open position,

means for supporting the opposite end of said frame at the bottomagainst downward and, lateral displacement when the frame is in theclosed position,

a wire barrier tensioned between said end standards and tending toapply'bending moment to said longi tudinal frame member,

said wire barrier being positioned entirely above the longitudinal framemember of the frame whereby the longitudinal frame member comprises thelowermost structural element of the swingable portion of the gate; and Imeans for applying traction at the top of said frame above said bottomsupport means and thereby rclieving the longitudinal frame member fromsaid bending moment of said wire barrier.

2. The gate according to claim 1 further including a diagonal guy wirefor supporting the swinging end of the gate from the upper end of thestandard at the hinged end of the gate. 7

3. The gate according to claim 1 wherein the traction applying meanscomprises a toggle mechanism supported for engagement with the upper endof the end standard at the swinging end of the gate and adapted to applya force to the end standard which is directed oppositely to the tensionof the wire barrier.

4. In a traction gate;

a pair of gate posts, one at each end of the closed position of thegate;

a frame comprising a pair of upright gate end standards and a unitarylongitudinal frame member integrally connected to the lower ends of saidstandards,

means for hingedly supporting one end of said gate frame on one of saidgate posts for laterally swinging movement between a closed position andan open position,

said hingedly supporting means including top and bottom hinge means,

means for supporting the swingable opposite end of the frame againstdownward and lateral displacement adjacent the other post when the gateis in its closed position,

said longitudinal frame member of the frame extending continuouslybetween the bottom hinge means and the frame supporting means when thegate is closed,

said supporting means comprising a vertically perforated horizontal lugprojecting toward said other post from said frame and an upwardprojection receivable in said perforation and integral with a seat boltextending through said other post and having a nut on the other side ofthat post for longitudinal adjustment,

a wire barrier stretched between said standards and tensioned to exert alifting force component on the swingable end of the gate frame, and

a traction mechanism for applying tension to the upper end of the gatestandard above said seat bolt in a direction toward said other post andat a downward angle to press the gate frame against said seat bolt.

5. The traction gate according to claim 4 wherein the traction mechanismcomprises a toggle mechanism mounted on said other post for engaging thegate frame when it is in the closed position and for applying tractionto the gate frame in a direction opposite to the force that is appliedto the gate frame by the tension of the wire barrier.

6. The traction gate according to claim 5 wherein the toggle mechanismis supported on the gate post for movement between a disengaged positionwherein it overlies the upper end of the gate post and a terminalposition wherein it overlies the swingable end of the gate frame, andfurther including cooperating means on the gate frame and the togglemechanism for retaining the toggle mechanism in the terminal position.

7. In a traction gate, the combination of:

a frame comprising a pair of upright tubular end standards and a unitarylongitudinal tubular frame member integrally connected with andextending between the bottoms of said end standards, means for hingedlysupporting one end of the gate frame for alterally swinging movementbetween a a closed position and an open position,

means for receiving the bottom of the opposite end of said frame whenthe frame is in the closed position and thereby supporting the frameagainst downward and lateral displacement when the frame is mountedthereon,

a traction mechanism for applying external traction against the top ofthe supported end of said gate frame and for releasing it from traction;and

a wire barrier tensioned between said standards in opposition to saidtraction,

said frame maintaining residual tension in said wire barrier whenreleased from said traction, which tension exerts a lifting force uponthe swingable end of said gate thereby simplifying the engage-, ment anddisengagement of the frame and the frame receiving means.

8. In a traction gate, the combination of:

a frame comprising a pair of upright end standards and a unitarylongitudinally frame member integrally connected with and extendingbetween the lower ends of said standards,

said frame, when free from external force, being substantially arectangle with an open side opposite said longitudinal frame member,making it resiliently flexible in said plane,

a pair of posts for supporting the opposite ends of said frame,

top and bottom hinge means for supporting one end of said frame to oneof said posts for laterally swinging movement from a closed position toan open position,

vertically coupling cooperative structure of said gate and said otherpost for supporting the swingable end of said frame in the closedposition at the bottom against downward and lateral displacement,

traction means for connecting the swingable end of the closed gate atthe top with said other post in traction and for releasing it fromtraction, and

a wire barrier extending between said standards and secured thereto asto be tightly tensioned when said gate is in traction and to remainresiliently ten,- sioned by said frame when the gate is released fromsuch traction, thereby exerting lifting moment on the released swingablegate end to facilitate manual lifting of said gate end for coupling anduncoupling at the bottom by said coupling structure.

9. The gate according to claim 8 wherein said longitudinal frame memberextends substantially in a line from said lower hinge means to saidcoupling structure in the closed gate.

disengaged position wherein it overlies the upper end of the gate postand a terminal position wherein it overlies the swingable end of thegate frame, and further including cooperating means on the gate frameand the toggle mechanism for retaining the toggle mechanism in theterminal position.

1. In a traction gate, the combination of: a frame comprising a pair ofupright end standards and a unitary longitudinal frame member integrallyconnected with and extending between the lower ends of said endstandards, means for hingedly supporting one end of the gate frame forlaterally swinging movement between a closed position and an openposition, means for supporting the opposite end of said frame at thebottom against downward and lateral displacement when the frame is inthe closed position, a wire barrier tensioned between said end standardsand tending to apply bending moment to sAid longitudinal frame member,said wire barrier being positioned entirely above the longitudinal framemember of the frame whereby the longitudinal frame member comprises thelowermost structural element of the swingable portion of the gate; andmeans for applying traction at the top of said frame above said bottomsupport means and thereby relieving the longitudinal frame member fromsaid bending moment of said wire barrier.
 2. The gate according to claim1 further including a diagonal guy wire for supporting the swinging endof the gate from the upper end of the standard at the hinged end of thegate.
 3. The gate according to claim 1 wherein the traction applyingmeans comprises a toggle mechanism supported for engagement with theupper end of the end standard at the swinging end of the gate andadapted to apply a force to the end standard which is directedoppositely to the tension of the wire barrier.
 4. In a traction gate; apair of gate posts, one at each end of the closed position of the gate,a frame comprising a pair of upright gate end standards and a unitarylongitudinal frame member integrally connected to the lower ends of saidstandards, means for hingedly supporting one end of said gate frame onone of said gate posts for laterally swinging movement between a closedposition and an open position, said hingedly supporting means includingtop and bottom hinge means, means for supporting the swingable oppositeend of the frame against downward and lateral displacement adjacent theother post when the gate is in its closed position, said longitudinalframe member of the frame extending continuously between the bottomhinge means and the frame supporting means when the gate is closed, saidsupporting means comprising a vertically perforated horizontal lugprojecting toward said other post from said frame and an upwardprojection receivable in said perforation and integral with a seat boltextending through said other post and having a nut on the other side ofthat post for longitudinal adjustment, a wire barrier stretched betweensaid standards and tensioned to exert a lifting force component on theswingable end of the gate frame, and a traction mechanism for applyingtension to the upper end of the gate standard above said seat bolt in adirection toward said other post and at a downward angle to press thegate frame against said seat bolt.
 5. The traction gate according toclaim 4 wherein the traction mechanism comprises a toggle mechanismmounted on said other post for engaging the gate frame when it is in theclosed position and for applying traction to the gate frame in adirection opposite to the force that is applied to the gate frame by thetension of the wire barrier.
 6. The traction gate according to claim 5wherein the toggle mechanism is supported on the gate post for movementbetween a disengaged position wherein it overlies the upper end of thegate post and a terminal position wherein it overlies the swingable endof the gate frame, and further including cooperating means on the gateframe and the toggle mechanism for retaining the toggle mechanism in theterminal position.
 7. In a traction gate, the combination of: a framecomprising a pair of upright tubular end standards and a unitarylongitudinal tubular frame member integrally connected with andextending between the bottoms of said end standards, means for hingedlysupporting one end of the gate frame for alterally swinging movementbetween a closed position and an open position, means for receiving thebottom of the opposite end of said frame when the frame is in the closedposition and thereby supporting the frame against downward and lateraldisplacement when the frame is mounted thereon, a traction mechanism forapplying external traction against the top of the supported end of saidgate frame and for releasing it from traction; and a wire barriertensioned between said standardS in opposition to said traction, saidframe maintaining residual tension in said wire barrier when releasedfrom said traction, which tension exerts a lifting force upon theswingable end of said gate thereby simplifying the engagement anddisengagement of the frame and the frame receiving means.
 8. In atraction gate, the combination of: a frame comprising a pair of uprightend standards and a unitary longitudinally frame member integrallyconnected with and extending between the lower ends of said standards,said frame, when free from external force, being substantially arectangle with an open side opposite said longitudinal frame member,making it resiliently flexible in said plane, a pair of posts forsupporting the opposite ends of said frame, top and bottom hinge meansfor supporting one end of said frame to one of said posts for laterallyswinging movement from a closed position to an open position, verticallycoupling cooperative structure of said gate and said other post forsupporting the swingable end of said frame in the closed position at thebottom against downward and lateral displacement, traction means forconnecting the swingable end of the closed gate at the top with saidother post in traction and for releasing it from traction, and a wirebarrier extending between said standards and secured thereto as to betightly tensioned when said gate is in traction and to remainresiliently tensioned by said frame when the gate is released from suchtraction, thereby exerting lifting moment on the released swingable gateend to facilitate manual lifting of said gate end for coupling anduncoupling at the bottom by said coupling structure.
 9. The gateaccording to claim 8 wherein said longitudinal frame member extendssubstantially in a line from said lower hinge means to said couplingstructure in the closed gate.
 10. The gate according to claim 8 in whichsaid traction means applies tension to said frame end at a downwardangle to press said frame against said coupling structure of said otherpost as a safeguard against uncoupling.
 11. The gate according to claim10 in which the traction mechanism comprises a toggle mechanisn which issupported on the gate post for movement between a disengaged positionwherein it overlies the upper end of the gate post and a terminalposition wherein it overlies the swingable end of the gate frame, andfurther including cooperating means on the gate frame and the togglemechanism for retaining the toggle mechanism in the terminal position.